Each day a different image or photograph is featured, with an
accompanying caption, which deals with various topics in Earth Science.

Sandstone Pagodas at Munghorn Gap

The picturesque plateaus of the western Blue Mountains of Australia are predominantly formed of Triassic era Narrabeen sediments. They're comprised of massive sandstones, with interbedded shale layers and lenses, and conglomerate. The sandstones are often indurated with leached iron deposits that, when weathered, produce a distinctive appearance known as pagodas – owing largely to their similarity to the Asian architecture. Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve is botanically significant in that it forms part of a transitional zone containing a mixture of plants from the south-east, north-west and western parts of the state of New South Wales. The dry climate and low elevation of the Great Dividing Range facilitates the extension of many characteristically western plants into this area. Photo taken in September of 2008.